Drill mechanism for sponge iron reactors and the like



Feb. 24, 1970 v E. o. BOWLING 3,496,587

DRILL MECHANISM FOR SPONGE IRON REACTORS AND THE LIKE Filed Aus- 14. 1 967 54 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 20 116 gqg 14 V 3 I V INVEN/IYOB I go 4 90 fo a/0 :0 D. Dowlz'zgg:

FI'gJ. 3 M4 Feb. 24, 1970' E. n. DOWLING DRILL MECHANISM FOR SPONGE ,IRON REACTORS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Augr 14. 1967 IN VF NTOR .Z'au/ard' D. Bowling.

Z/%6ZWAQ flrmalzlvirr Feb. 24,1970 E. D. DOWLING 3,496,587

DRILL MECHANISM FOR SPONGE IRON REACTORS AND THE LIKE Filed Au 14, 1967 s Sheets-Sheet s q [AWE/V4 03 a fo ward .D. 0 6 2 Feb. 24, 1970 E. n. DOWLING DRILL MECHANISM FOR SPONGE IRON REACTORS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug: 14, 1957 o 1,, w g F m w m m MN p fl 5 J a r H a 8 w H J w w z z q 7 V7////////// 7/// m\\ 1 0 W 6 I M m L \W\\ T4 ////////////A 5 m 0 QR .1 1 n United States Patent US. Cl. 15-1041 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A collapsible drilling head is disclosed together with driving and actuating means therefor. The drilling head includes both stationary and collapsible drilling arms and a guide bit mounted centrally of the drilling head. The drilling head is useful for removing the contents of a sponge iron reactor coke producing vessel, and other reactional vessel. The guide bit and stationary drilling arms are used to bore a pilot opening through the sponge iron or the like after which the collapsible arms are extended to remove the remainder of the vessel contents. In this example, three collapsible drilling arms are employed and are actuated by partial pinions nonrotatably joined thereto and engaging a multiple faced rack. The rack is reciprocated by means of a push rod for extending and withdrawing the collapsible arms. Means are provided for disengaging the collapsible arms and their pinions from the rack in the event that one or more of the arms become jammed.

The present invention relates to drilling or boring apparatus, and more particularly to a collapsible drilling head and driving apparatus therefor for use in removing the porous product from reactor vessels, such as those used in the production of sponge iron and the like.

The drilling apparatus of the invention is particularly adapted for use in a dusty, abrasive, high temperature environment and under other severely corrosive or erosive conditions. A number of difficulties and problems have been encountered with the use of conventional drilling apparatus under these conditions.

In the production of sponge iron and the like, porous materials, a charge of iron ore is reduced in a suitable reactor vessel, and when the reaction is completed it is necessary to drill out the resulting sponge iron product, as it will not fall out of its own accord. The removal of the sponge iron product in this fashion is accomplished with collapsible drilling apparatus which is used first in its collapsed position to drill a pilot bore somewhat smaller in diameter than the bottom outlet nozzle of the reactor up through the bed of sponge iron. At the top of the reactor, auxiliary cutting arms of the drilling apparatus are then extended and the remainder of the sponge iron product is drilled from the top and down and is discharged through the pilot hole previously made.

In the use of a drilling apparatus the latter is attached to the upper end of a vertical boring bar or kelly which is installed immediately below and in axial alignment with the reactor vessel. The kelly can be rotated by suitable means such as an electric motor. When all of the sponge iron has been removed, the cutting apparatus is stopped and the cutting arms are again retracted so that the tool may be removed from the reactor through its bottom nozzle.

It frequently occurs, however, that the drilling apparatus malfunctions, either from striking extremely hard, foreign material or the like in the sponge iron, or from mechanical failure of the apparatus due to the accumulation of dust therein and the cutting arms become locked in their extended positions. This problem is complicated by 3,496,587 Patented Feb. 24, 1970 ICC the conventional, external linkages utilized for controlling the movement of the collapsible drill arms which also entrap the abrasive particles of the product being removed and which further interfere with the closing or collapsing of the drill apparatus. As a result the drilling apparatus cannot be removed from the reactor when the drilling operation is completed. Conventional drilling apparatus have not been provided with convenient means for disengaging the locked cutter arms and retracting them, for example by the use of manual tools inserted through the upper opening of the reactor.

Most conventional drilling apparatus for these applications have been actuated by pneumatic cylinders or the like. The air passages in the kelly spline, for the air cylinders, are subject to plugging as a result of the dusty environment. Equally important is the fact that the high temperature environment, with temperatures frequently in the neighborhood of 1200 F. or higher, causes malfunctioning of and damage to the pneumatic cylinders. Attempts have been made to overcome the latter difiiculty by locating the pneumatic cylinder or cylinders within the kelly, even as low as the operating station for the drilling apparatus. This arrangement, however, has resulted in equally severe maintenance problems. Moreover, the cylinder diameter in any case is limited which in turn limits the maximum thrust of the drilling apparatus.

These difficulties and problems associated with conventional drilling apparatus are overcome through the use of my novel drilling apparatus, wherein I provide means for extending and retracting the cutting arms thereof and for otherwise actuating the apparatus by means of a torque output prime mover, such as an electric motor. The operating linkages or actuating means for the cutting arms of one arrangement of my apparatus are mounted within and protected by a substantially dust-proof casing. The aforementioned linkages are further arranged so that they can operate even in the event that damage or wear of the casing permits a relatively large amount of dust or fines and other foreign material to leak into the casing. The encased linkages can continue to operate even at the highest temperatures encountered, in the operation of my novel drilling apparatus. In one arrangement of the apparatus a plurality of cutting arms are actuated by means of an encased multiple faced rack whose rectilinear movement moves the cutting arms between their extended and retracted positions through suitable mechanical linkages, such as gearing segments or the like. The rectilinear member is further arranged so that a simple rotational movement thereof disconnects the rack from the aforementioned mechanical linkages, so that the cutting arms can be quickly disconnected from the actuating mechanism therefor, if and when desired, for example in the event that the drilling arms become jammed in their extended positions.

In other arrangements of my apparatus a suitable actuating mechanism is provided for moving the aforementioned member rectilinearly by means of a pair of operators which are coupled to the kelly or other means for raising and lowering the drill head. In one arragement, the operators are so coupled to the rectilinear member that clockwise rotation of one of the operators at a given operating station and at a given associated rectilinear position of the kelly will open the cutting arms and a similar clockwise rotation of the other operator at the same operating station and at another rectilinear position of the kelly will retract the cutting arms.

In the event of a malfunction of the drilling apparatus, novel means are associated therewith for moving the extended cutting arms to their retracted positions to permit removal of the drilling apparatus from the reactor. To accomplish this the drilling apparatus is first raised inside the reactor so that the drilling tip thereof may be reached with a suitable wrench or other hand tool through the top opening of the reactor. When in this position a novel locking assembly forming part of this feature of my apparatus can be unlocked and withdrawn therefrom to permit the cutting arms to be retracted. This operation permits the aforementioned rectilinear member to be rotated as aforesaid in order to disengage the member entirely from the gearing arrangement or other mechanical linkages associated with the cutting arms. The cutting arms can now be moved to their retracted positions manually through the use of suitable hand tools. In accordance another feature of my apparatus the cutting arms are so balanced that in their retracted position their centers of gravity are disposed inwardly of their points of support relative to the body of the drilling apparatus so that the cutting arms remain retracted while the drilling apparatus is lowered through the bottom nozzles of the reactor.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be elaborated upon during the forthcoming description of certain preferred embodiments thereof, together with preferred methods of practicing the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention, together with presently preferred methods of practicing the same, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partial elevational view, partly sectioned, of a drilling head assembly arranged in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 1A is a partial elevational view showing a portion of one of the collapsible arms of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 in the extended position thereof and taken generally along reference line IA-IA of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, and taken along reference line III--III thereof;

FIGURE 4 is another cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 and taken along reference line IV-IV thereof;

FIGURE 5 is still another cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 taken along reference line V-V thereof;

FIGURE 6 is another cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 taken along reference line VI-VI thereof;

FIGURE 7 is another cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 taken along reference line VII--VII thereof;

FIGURE 8 is a partial longitudinally sectioned view of the apparatus as shown in FIGURE 4 and taken along reference line VIIIVIII thereof;

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the drilling apparatus of the invention and illustrating an exemplary application thereof;

FIGURE 10 is a longitudinally sectioned view of an alternative driving arrangement for the drilling arm extending means of the invention;

FIGURE 11 is a partial, longitudinally sectioned view of another form of my novel drilling apparatus; and

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged, partial, longitudinally sectioned view of the apparatus as shown in FIGURE 11 and taken along reference line XIIXII thereof.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the exemplary arrangement of the invention shown therein includes a collapsible drilling assembly or head 10 having an elongated body portion or casing 12 and terminating at its upper end in a closure assembly for the casing designated generally by reference character 14. When the drilling apparatus is in its collapsed position, as denoted by the chain outlines 16 of its drill arms 18, rotation of the casing 12, by means described hereinafter, causes the drilling apparatus to drill a pilot bore through the material which is to be removed from the reactor or other casing or container.

In furtherance of this purpose the aforementioned casing closure 14 is provided with a guide or pilot bit 20 which is, in this example, arranged on the central axis of the collapsible drilling head. Upper extension 22 forming part of the casing 12 is provided with a plurality of stationary drilling arms 24, with three being utilized in this arrangement of the invention as better shown in FIG- URE 2 of the drawings. The stationary drilling arms 24 are radially displaced relative to the collapsible drilling arms 18. Each stationary drilling arm 24 desirably is provided in the form of a truss arrangement and thus includes a pair of side extensions 26 which are rigidly secured to the casing extension 22 and which are stabilized in this example by a plurality of arcuate cutters, with three such cutters 28, 30 and 32 being utilized in this arrangement.

The side extensions 26 of the stationary arms 24 desirably taper outwardly consonant with decreasing beam forces toward their outer ends where the larger arcuate drill bit 32 is secured. The remaining drill bits 28 and 30 of each arm 24 are spaced inwardly of the bit 32 and are made correspondingly smaller due to the correspondingly lesser drilling forces which are encountered nearer the centerline of the drilling head. Owing to the rotational pattern of the drilling head and of the stationary arms 24 the drilling bits 2832 desirably have the same center of curvatures, which center in this example is disposed at the center line 34 of the drilling head 10 as better shown in FIGURE 2. The drilling bits 28-32 are rigidly joined to the stationary arms 24 to complete the truss arrangement thereof with the side extensions 26. The spatial arrangement of the drilling bits 28-32 and the pilot bit 20 minimize pulverization of the material being removed and cause the latter to be removed in chunks of a given size dependent upon the spacing between the bits 20 and 28-32. As better shown in FIGURE 1, the pilot bit 20 and the stationary arm bits 28-32 desirably are arranged on differing elevations, which operates to distribute the drilling forces among the several bits and also promotes breaking of the material into sizable chunks as the drilling head is moved, in this example upwardly therethrough.

With the arrangement thus far described the drilling head 10 in its collapsed position as aforesaid is rotated to bore a pilot hole into the interior of the vessel or container, with the pilot hole being defined as to its diameter by the disposition of the outermost drill bit 32 of each stationary arm 24. When the drilling apparatus 10 has thus been inserted to its maximum extent means associated with the drilling apparatus 10 are actuated to move the collapsible drilling arms 18 to their extended or operative positions, as denoted by the solid outlines thereof in FIGURES 1 and 2. Such means rigidly hold the arms 18 in their extended positions as the drilling apparatus 10 is again rotated while being withdrawn from the reactor, or other container.

For this reason each collapsible arm 18 is provided with a plurality of drill bits 36 on the underside thereof, i.e., on the side generally opposite from the location of the stationary arm bits 28-32. As better shown in FIG- URE 1A each of the bits 36 is generally rectangular but is provided with an arcuate leading edge 38 to define a cutting edge 40. Desirably the length of the arms 18 and the angular displacement thereof between their operative and retracted positions are such that the outermost bit 36a is moved very close to the walls of the reactor or other container in order to ensure removal of a maximum amount of the caked material or other solid material contained therein. At the operative positions of the drilling arms 18 the adjacent surfaces of the drill bits 36 are disposed generally parallel to the central axis of the drilling apparatus 19 in order to facilitate the drilling operation. Therefore, the particular angular disposition of the bits 36 relative to the collapsible arms 18 desirably will depend upon the angular displacement, denoted by double-headed arrow 42 through which the arms move between their retracted and operative positions. Although four such bits 36 are illustrated on each collapsible arm 18, it will be understood that a greater or lesser number of such bits can be employed depending upon the length of the arms 18 and the softness or hardness of the caked or porous material being removed. It will also be understood that the innermost drill bit 36b on each arm 18 can be placed further from or closer to the pilot hole as defined by the location of the stationary arm bits 32 de pending upon the softness r hardness of the material.

In this arrangement each collapsible arm 18 is provided with a bifurcate inward end portion, the legs 44 of which straddle in associated hollow extension or pro tuberance 46 of the casing 12 as better shown in FIG- URES 1, 1A, 2 and 3 of the drawings. At each hollow extension 46 of the housing 12 the associated collapsible arm 18 is rigidly secured to a gear segment 48. Each gear segment is provided with an enlarged tooth 49 which is thereby enabled to bear the forces applied thereto when the associated arm 18 is fully extended (FIGURE 1). All of the gear segments 48, however, are completely enclosed within the casing 12 (FIGURES 1 and 3) in order to protect them from the dusty and abrasive environment in which the drilling apparatus usually is employed. The rigid connection of each collapsible arm 18 to its associated gear segment 48 is effected by means of a keyed shaft 50, which is rotatably mounted in the associated casing protuberance 46 whence it extends outwardly from each side thereof for keyed connection respectively to the leg portions 44 of the associated collapsible arm. In furtherance of this purpose, the cross-sectional contour of the shaft 50 desirably is made non-circular, such as square or hexagonal or alternatively each shaft 50 can be provided with integral splines 52 as better shown in FIG- URE 1 of the drawings. Alternatively, the shaft 50 can be provided with conventional splines and grooves, if desired. It will also be apparent that the shaft can be pinned to the legs 44 of the collapsible drilling arm 18 and to its gearing segment 48 in the conventional manner.

In orrer to facilitate the rotatable mounting of each keyed shaft 50 within its casing protuberance 46 and also to minimize the entrance of dust thereinto, each shaft 50 is provided with a pair of spaced annular or sleeve bearings 54 which are thus located respectively at circular openings 56 in the side walls of each hollow protuberance 46. Desirably the bearings 54 are closely fitted within the openings 56 therefor and the entry of dust therethrough is further minimized or prevented altogether by means of annular dust seals 58. The bearings 54 are shaped complementarily with the adjacent portions of the shaft 50 and are closely fitted thereon for rotation therewith in order to prevent the entry of dust therebetween.

As better shown in FIGURE 1, each hollow protuberance 46, which is desirably provided with a maintenance cover 60, desirably is fan-shaped so as to accommodate the anticipated movements of the associated gearing segment 48 as the drilling arms 18 are moved between their retracted and operative positions. At the retracted positions of the arms 18 the corresponding positions of the gearing segments 48 are denoted by dashed outlines 62 thereof in FIGURE 1.

In order to withdraw and to extend the arms 18 and to hold the arms rigidly at their extended or operative positions a suitably shaped rack 64 is mounted for rectilinear movement centrally of the housing 12. In this example the rack 64 is provided with three generally parallel longitudinally extending rows of gearing teeth 66, with the rows of teeth 66 being spaced equidistantly about the rack 64 for enmeshment respectively with the teeth of the gearing segments 48 at the operative position of the rack 64.

As better shown in FIGURES 3 and 7 each row of gearing teeth 66 is located eccentrically of the rack 64 in order to facilitate disengagement of the rack from the gearing segments 48, in theevent that the arms 18 or other operative parts of the mechanism become jammed. An arrangement for effecting such disengagement is described hereinafter in greater detail.

At its lower end the rack 64 terminates in a stubshaft 68 which in turn is threadedly secured to one of a pair of members of a bayonet type coupling denoted generally by reference character 70. The bayonet coupling 70 is provided for convenience in assembling and disassembling the drill head 10 and can be replaced if desired by other suitable couplings such as a threaded or setscrew collar (not shown). The other of the bayonet coupling members is in turn threadedly secured to a pushrod 72 which extends downwardly along the length of the kelly 74 to a screw-type jack denoted generally at 159 in FIGURE 9 or at 159 in FIGURE 10, mounted at the lower end of the kelly 74. The pushrod 72 desirably is mounted coaxially of the kelly 74 and is constructed from a strong structural material and of such diameter as to bear the loads encountered in extending the arms 18 and in the drilling operation in general.

The base portion 76 of the drilling apparatus casing 12 is detachably secured to the kelly 74, in this example, by a keying arrangement such as that illustrated more particularly in FIGURES 4 and 8 of the drawings. In this arrangement a pair of keying members 78 of rectangular configuration, respectively engage a pair of fiat surfaces 80 formed at diametrically opposite locations on the adjacent surfaces of the kelly 74. When operatively engaged with the flat surfaces 80 the keying members 78 extend through shaped apertures 82 formed in the lower casing section 76. The keying members 78 are retained in this position, as better shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, by means of mounting bolts 84 inserted through appropriate apertures therefor in a mounting flange 86 forming part of each keying member 78. When thus inserted the mounting bolts engage suitably threaded apertures formed in thickened portions 88 of the casing section 76.

The lower end of the casing 12 is provided with a plurality of supports 90 to facilitate standing and storing the drilling apparatus 10 on its lower end when the apparatus is removed from the kelly 74.

When actuated by the pushrod 72, the rack 64 as better shown in FIGURES 1 and 7 of the drawings, is mounted for rectilinear movement upon the inwardly extended fingers 92 of a splined sleeve 94 and upon a restricted casing section 98 having a circular opening therein to accommodate the rack stubshaft 68. The lengths of the stubshaft 68 and of the splined sleeve 94 are sufficient, of course, to accommodate the rack 64 throughout its recti linear path of travel. The primary function of the splined sleeve 94, however, is to provide means for imparting an angular displacement of the rack 64 about its long axis when desired, in order to disengage its rows of teeth 66 from the gearing segments 48 respectively. Such rows of teeth can be displaced away from the gearing segments 48 as a result of their eccentric location relative to the longitudinal axis of the rack 64, for example when the rack 64 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. Obviously, where the rack rotation feature of the invention is not required or desired the splined sleeve 94 can be replaced by a restricted casing section (not shown) which complementarily engages the rack 64.

During the normal, rectilinear movements of the rack 64 the splined housing 94 normally restrains the rack against rotation or angular displacement by means of a plurality of splines 96 which are slidably engaged in a like number of grooves 99 suitably disposed about the cylindricalouter periphery of the splined housing 94 and extending longitudinally thereof. In this example, splines 96 are rigidly secured to an adjacent, thickened casing portion or shoulder 100 and thus retain the splined housing 94 against undesired rotation when the housing 94 is positioned as shown in its solid outlines. The rack 64 is likewise restrained against rotation at this time by engagement with the inwardly extending fingers 92 of the housing 94, as noted above. The splined sleeve thus is slidably keyed to the casing 22 and to the inserted end portion of the rack 64.

During normal operation of the drilling apparatus the spline housing 94 is retained in its solid outline position, as shown in FIGURE 1, by means of an axially extending manipulating and restraining member 101 including tube 102 and the aforementioned end closure 14 of the upper casing section 22, to which the restraining tube 102 is joined. In this example, the closure 14 includes an annular closure member .104 which is permanently joined to the upper end of the casing extension 22. A bayonet or twist-lock plug 106 is loosely secured to the restraining tube 102 by means of an elongated headed bolt 108 and clamping plate 110 which is thus secured to the sleeve 94. Desirably, the aforesaid loose securance permits the plug 106 which forms part of the manipulating and restraining member 101 to be rotated into the socket of member 104 in the conventional manner, and in the opposite direction of the intended rotation of the drilling apparatus 10 so that the plug 106 will not become inadvertently loosened or lost during the drilling operation. In this example the aforementioned guide bit 20 is mounted on a circular flanged member 112, which is bolted to the outer surface of the plug .106.

The upper end of the splined sleeve 94 is provided with a closure 114 the upper end of which is secured to the circular clamping plate 110 of the restraining tube 102. Thus, when the plug 106 is rotated slightly to disengage it from the closure member 104 a hook or other suitable tool can be inserted through the lifting aperture 116 of the guide bit 20, and a pull exerted upon the splined sleeve 94 by means of the clamping plate 110 and the clamping bolt .108 to draw the splined housing 94 upwardly away from the keying splines 96, which in this operation slide out of the splined sleeve grooves 99. When the splined sleeve 94 has thus been moved to its chain outline position (FIGURE 1) it is freed from its connection to the drilling apparatus casing 12 and can be rotated relatively thereto. However, the splined sleeve fingers 92 remain engaged with the complementarily shaped outer periphery of the rack 64 so that rotation of the spline sleeve 94 in the counterclockwise direction (FIGURE 3) disengages the rack teeth 66 from the gearing segments 48 as aforesaid. At such time the drilling arms 18 are then freely movable and can be moved manually or with suitable tools inwardly to their retracted positions 16 and secured to the casing extension 22 by means of links 120 and 122, mounted respectively on the casing extension 22 and on each of the drilling arms 18. During the aforementioned rectilinear and rotational movement of the splined sleeve 94 its complete and inadvertent removal from the rack 64 is prevented by means of a cap 124 secured to the upper end of the rack.

Referring now to FIGURE 9 of the drawings an exemplary application of the invention is illustrated therein in connection with a sponge iron reactor vessel designated schematically by reference character 142 and having upper and lower access openings 144 and 146. The drilling apparatus 10' is mounted upon an elongated kelly 74 which is moved vertically and rectilinearly by an elongated hydraulic cylinder 148, which in this example, is sunk in a well shaft extending downwardly from grade level as denoted by reference character 150. The kelly 74 and its cylinder .148 are thus aligned axially with the reactional vessel 142 and particularly with its access openings 146 and 144. In this example the kelly 7-4 includes inner and outer casings which are joined at their upper ends to the drilling apparatus 10' and to a collection chute arrangement denoted generally by reference character 152. The material removed from the reactional vessel 142 is directed by the chute 152 onto a conveyor belt denoted generally by reference character 154.

A suitable drive unit 156 is mounted at the upper end of the hydraulic cylinder 148 for rotating the kelly 74' the lower end of which is supported by thrust hearing 157 on piston 158. The piston 158 is mounted for rectilinear movement, together with kelly 74' in the suitably elongated hydraulic cylinder .148.

In the operation of the drilling apparatus, as shown in FIGURE 9, the hydraulic cylinder 148 is actuated to move the kelly 74 upwardly so that the drilling apparatus 10' in its collapsed condition and the chute structure 152 are moved from their lower chain outline positions to positions adjacent the lower access opening 146 of the reactional vessel 142 whereat the drilling apparatus 10' is inserted therein. The kelly 74' is then r tated in order to drill a pilot bore 160 upwardly through the material contained in the vessel 142. At the upper end of the pilot bore 160 the screw jack 159 is actuated to extend the drilling arms 18' as denoted by the upper chain outline of the drilling apparatus 10 and the kelly 74 is again rotated to actuate the drilling head 10 while the kelly is lowered to move the extending drilling apparatus 10 downwardly of the vessel to remove the contents thereof. When the extended drilling arms 18 arrive at the frusto-conical bottom 162 of the vessel 142 the drillin apparatus 10' and kelly 74 are returned to their uppermost positions, and the arms are again moved to their collapsed positions so that the collapsed drilling apparatus 10' can then be removed downwardly through the access opening 146.

In the event that the drilling arms 18' should become jammed in their extended position, the drilling apparatus 10' and the kelly 74 are moved upwardly to the upper chain outlined positions thereof and suitable tools are inserted through the upper access opening 144 to manipulate components of the drilling apparatus (FIG- URES 18) to disengage the rack 64 as described above.

Referring now to FIGURE 10 of the drawings, novel means are disclosed therein for actuating the pushrod 72 of FIGURE 1. With the latter arrangement, jack crew 164 thereof can be connected directly to the coupling 70' of FIGURE 1. Accordingly, the necessity of providing a relatively heavy pushrod extending along the entire length of the kelly 7 which may be in the order of feet in length is obviated. Therefore the screw jack 159' can be operated by a relatively light shafting ararngement denoted by reference character 166 which extends downwardly for a convenient distance through the kelly 7 4.

Inasmuch as it is contemplated that the drilling arms 18" must be extended and retracted at dilferent elevations of the kelly 74' relative to the grade (FIGURE 9) the kelly 74 is provided with a pair of spaced operators 168 and 170 for the shafting 166. The location of the operators 168, 170 on the kelly 74' corresponds to the posi tions of the kelly 74 relative to the grade 150 at which the drilling arm 18' must be extended and retracted, respectively.

One arrangement of the operator 168 or 170 each includes a rotatably mounted transversely extended shaft 172 which protrudes through a wall section of the kelly 74'. The outer end of the shafts 172 terminate in wrench or other keyed configurations 174, while a bevel gear 176 is secured to the inward end of each shaft 172 for rotation therewith. Each of the bevel gears 176 are enmeshed respectively with a bevel gear 178 or 180 mounted on the shafting 166 for rotation therewith, with the lower bevel gear 180 being secured to the lower end of the shafting 166. As evidenced from the arrangement of FIGURE 10, the shafting bevel gears 178, 180 desirably are oppositely disposed on the shafting 166 so that the shafts 172 can be rotated in the same direction, for example, clockwise by a suitable tool such as a torque wrench, for raising and lowering respectively the jack screw 164 at the position defined by the operators 168, 170. For example, clockwise rotation of the operator 168 lowers the jack screw 164 to retract the drilling arms 18' at the lowermost position of the drilling apparatus or 10 relative to the reactional vessel 142 (FIGURE 9), while rotation of the operator 170 in the same direction raises the jack screw 164 to extend the drilling arms 18 at the uppermost position of the drilling apparatus. With this arrangement the same power tool can be utilized to manipulate the operators 168 and 170 to extend and retract the drilling arms 18' and the operators 168 and 170 are appropriately spaced along the length of the kelly 74 so that they can be manipulated at the same operating station relative to the reactional vessel 142 or to grade level 150.

In order to provide access to the operators 168, 170 which are mounted Within the sleeve 182 of the kelly 74', suitable access openings 184 are therefore provided in the sleeve 182. In this arrangement the collector chute illustrated schematically at 188 in FIGURE 10 is mounted on a sleeve bearing arrangement 190 which in turn is mounted on the upper end portion of the outer kelly sleeve 184.

Referring now to FIGURES 11 and 12 another arrangement of the kelly and hydraulic cylinder is illustrated. As in the arrangement of FIGURE 10 a well of about 100 feet in depth is driven directly beneath the reactor vessel. Spaced inner and outer casings 148' and 149 are inserted into the well. A bearing sleeve 192 is then positioned within the casings. The inner and outer casings 148' and 149 are positioned substantially concentrically by means of annular spacers 191 and 193. Mounted within the bearing sleeve 192 are at least two spaced water-lubricated sleeve bearings 194. The kelly 74' in this example includes an elongated boring bar 196 flanged at its lower end at 198 for joining to an elongated piston 200. The piston 200 is of suflicient length to maintain engagement with at least one of the bearings 194 throughout a path of travel between its extreme positions denoted by its solid outline and its upper chainoutline position 202 (FIGURE 12). A conventional hydraulic shock absorber 204 is mounted at the lower end of the piston 200 for co-operation with a re-enforced lower end 206 of reduced casing portion 208.

In this arrangement of the invention, the water bearings 194 desirably are Cutless bearings manufactured by B. F. Goodrich Company, or other suitable bearings, and the flow of Water therethrough is regulated by a limited-flow, sealing device 210 mounted in series with each of the bearings 194, as better shown in FIGURE 12. The seals 210 which are engageable with the elongated piston 200 determine the amount of water or other hydraulic fluid flowing between the piston and the bearings 194 in order to maintain a suitable lubricating film thereat. The bearing sleeve 192 can be provided in several lengths which are joined together as shown in FIGURE 12. The inner and outer casings 148' and 149 can be similarly joined (not shown). Obviously, other spaced sleeve or equivalent bearing arrangements can be utilized.

The boring bar 196 is provided with a number of splines 212 which co-operate with a rotary drive sleeve (not shown) imparting a rotary motion to the boring bar 196 in order to rotate the drilling head 10' secured thereto. The lengths of the splines 212 and of the piston 200 correspond to the path of travel of the kelly 74' and of the drilling head 10'. The piston 200 is raised and lowered in the casing 148 by means of water or other suitable hydraulic fluid introduced under pressure through the inlet/ outlet conduit 214 adjacent the upper end of the casing 148. The pressurized water flows downwardly between inner casing 149 and bearing sleeve 192 as denoted by flow arrows 215 (FIGURES l1 and 12). With this arrangement the drilling head 10' can be raised and lowered through the reactional vessel 142 and at the same time rotated when desired to remove the sponge iron or other reaction product therefrom in the manner described in detail previously.

Lubricating water which flows through the annular flow regulating seals 210 flows upwardly between the bearing sleeve 192 and the boring bar 196 as denoted by flow arrow 216 and exists through annular weepage chamber 218 and over flow Opening 220. A rotating rubber seal 222 is mounted on the upper end of the weepage chamber in order to confine the lubricating water to its proper exit or drain opening 220.

The arrangement of FIGURES 11 and 12 greatly simplifies the fabrication and machining of components and eliminates the need for special welding and boring capabilities. My invention also obviates a continuous bored cylinder for the kelly piston and the need for using grease lubricated machined bearing-s all of which are rapidly eroded by the pressurized water.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that novel and efficient forms of drilling apparatus for removing caked material and the like from reactional vessels and other containers have been described herein.

I claim:

1. Collapsible drilling apparatus comprising an elongated hollow casing, a pushrod mounted for reciprocation within said casing and axially thereof, a plurality of retractable drilling arms each having a pivotal mounting on said casing and including a shaft extended thereinto, said shafts being substantially enclosed within said casing but being protruded therefrom for securance outside of said casing to said arms respectively, said arms together with said shafts being movable between extended operative positions and retracted inoperative positions, a rectilinearly movable actuating member connected to said pushrod for movement thereby and slidably mounted within said casing, and a like plurality of mechanical linkages completely enclosed within said casing and coupled to said actuating member, said linkages being connected respectively to said shafts for movement therewith and with said drilling arms upon rectilinear movements of said actuating member, whereby the actuating components of said apparatus are substantially enclosed within said casing.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein stationary drilling arms are mounted on the forward end portion of said casing and are angularly displaced relative to said retractable drilling arms respectively, and means are mounted on said casing between said stationary arms respectively for locking said retractable drilling arms to said casing in their retracted positions.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said drilling apparatus is detachably joined to one end of an elongated boring bar the other end of which is joined to an elongated piston, said piston being mounted in an elongated cylinder, said boring bar has spline means secured longitudinally thereto to provide engagement by rotative means, said spline means corresponding in length to the path of travel of said bar.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said actuating member includes a rack configuration and said mecanical linkages are gear segments enmeshed therewith, and each of said gearing segments includes an enlarged tooth capable of bearing the forces applied to said drilling arms and disposed for enmeshment with said rack configuration at the extended position of the associated drilling arm.

5. Collapsible drilling apparatus comprising an elongated hollow casing, a pushrod mounted for reciprocation within said casing and axially thereof, a plurality of retractable drilling arms pivotally mounted on said casing and movable between extended operative positions and retracted inoperative positions, a rectilinearly movable actuating member connected to said pushrod for movement thereby and slidably mounted within said casing, and a like plurality of mechanical linkages contained within said casing and coupled to said actuatilng member, said linkages being connected respectively to said pivot mountings for movement therewith and with said drilling arms upon rectilinear movements of said actuating member, said actuating member being an elongated rack slidably mounted within said casing and coupled to said pushrod, said rack having a plurality of generally parallel rows of gearing teeth juxtaposed respectively to said pivot mountings of the drilling arms, said pivot mountings each including a shaft extending into said casing an rigidly joined on the outside of said casing to the associated drilling arm for angular displacement therewith, and said mechanical linkages including a like plurality of gearing segments disposed within said casing and rigidly joined to said shaft respectively for rotation therewith, said gearing segments being enmeshed with said rows of gearing teeth respectively.

6. The combination according to claim wherein each of said gearing segments includes an enlarged tooth capable of bearing the forces applied to the associated drilling arm and disposed for enmeshment with said rack at the extended position of said associated drilling arm.

7. Collapsible drilling apparatus comprising an elongated hollow casing, a pushrod mounted for reciprocation within said casing and axially thereof, a plurality of retractable drilling arms pivotally mounted on said casing and movable between extended operative positions and retracted inoperative positions, a rectilinearly movable actuating member connected to said pushrod for movement thereby and slidably coupled to said casing, a like plurality of mechanical linkages coupled to said actuating member and to said drilling arms respectively so that said drilling arms are extended and retracted upon rectilinear movements of said actuating member, and means for disengaging said actuating member and said linkages upon angular displacement of said actuating member and for efiecting such angular displacement thereof.

8. Collapsible drilling apparatus comprising an elongated hollow casing, a pushrod mounted for reciprocation within said casing and axially thereof, a plurality of retractable drilling arms pivotally mounted on said casing and movable between extended operative positions and retracted inoperative positions, a rectilinearly movable actuating member connected to said pushrod for movement thereby and slidably coupled to said casing and a like plurality of mechanical linkages coupled to said actuating member and to said drilling arms respectively so that said drilling arms are extended and retracted upon rectilinear movements of said actuating member, said casing including a like number of radially outwardly extending hollow protuberances, each of said drilling arms having a bifurcate portion the legs of which straddle the associated one of said protuberances, a pivot shaft extending through each of said protuberances and rigidly joined at its ends to the legs of the associated drilling arm, and said mechanical linkages being substantially enveloped within said protuberances respectively and secured respectively to the intermediate portions of said pivot shafts within said protuberances.

9. Collapsible drilling apparatus comprising an elongated hollow casing, a pushrod mounted for reciprocation within said casing and axially thereof, a plurality of retractable drilling arms pivotally mounted on said casing and movable between extended operative positions and retracted inoperative positions, a rectilinearly movable actuating member connected to said pushrod for movement thereby and slidably coupled to said casing, a like plurality of mechanical linkages coupled to said actuating member, and to said drilling arms respectively so that said drilling arms are extended and retracted upon rectilinear movements of said actuating member, said actuating member being an elongated rack slidably mounted within said casing and coupled to said pushrod, said rack having a plurality of generally parallel rows of gearing teeth juxtaposed respectively to said pivot mountings of the drilling arms, said pivot mountings each including a shaft extending into said casing and rigidly joined on the outside of said casing to the associated drilling arm for angular displacement therewith, said mechanical linkages including a like plurality of gearing segments disposed within said casing and rigidly joined to said shaft respectively for rotation therewith, said gearing segments being enmeshed with said rows of gearing teeth respectively, said rows of gearing teeth being located eccentrically on said rack, and means for angul-arly displacing said rack about its longitudinal axis so that said rows of teeth are disengaged from said gearing segments to permit retraction of said drilling arms in the event that said rack becomes jammed against rectilinear movement thereof.

10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein said angularly displacing means is a sleeve mounted for longitudinal movement within said casing and slidably keyed thereto and to an inserted portion of said rack to prevent rotation of said sleeve relative to said housing when so engaged, and means are provided for longitudinally displacing said sleeve to, disengage its keyed connection to said casing while maintaining its keyed connection to said rack, said last-mentioned means including means for rotating said sleeve and said rack at the displaced position of said sleeve to disengage the rack teeth from said gearing segments.

11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein said angular displacing means include an elongated member' detachably secured to an annular closure member for said casing, said elongated member being joined to said sleeve for longitudinal and rotational movement therewith.

12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein a central guide bit is mounted centrally on the outer end of said member and is provided with a lifting aperture therein. 1 a

13. Collapsible drilling apparatus comprising an elongated hollow casing, a pushrod mounted for reciprocation within said casing and axially thereof, a plurality of re tractable drilling arms pivotally mounted on said casing and movable between extended operative positions and retracted inoperative positions, a rectilinearly movable actuating member connected to said pushrod for movement thereby and slidably coupled to said casing, a like plurality of mechanical linkages coupled to said actuating member and to said drilling arms respectively so that said drilling arms are extended and retracted upon rectilinear movements of said actuating member, means for disengaging said linkages and said actuating member upon angular displacement of said actuating member, and means for rectilinearly moving said actuating member and for effecting such angular displacement thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,618,368 2/1927 Dietle 17s -290 X 2,170,660 8/1939 Langmyhr.

3,208,540 9/1965 Park -289X 3,280,416 10/1966 Forsyth.

FOREIGN PATENTS 9,555 5/ 1909 Great Britain. ROBERT w. MICHELL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 175-202, 287 

